Valve Apparatus Having Dissolvable or Frangible Flapper and Method of Using Same

ABSTRACT

A bridge plug for use in a wellbore having an anchoring system to grip the inner surface of the surrounding wellbore, as well as a sealing system or packing element to seal against the inner surface. A hinged flapper permits flow of fluid in one axial direction through a central through bore, but can selectively contact against a seat to create a fluid pressure seal and prevent fluid flow through said central through bore in an opposite axial direction. The flapper can be manufactured of frangible material and/or dissolvable material, permitting selective removal of the flapper when desired.

CROSS REFERENCES TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No.15/424,109, filed Feb. 3, 2017, currently pending, which claims priorityof U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 62/290,512, filed Feb.3, 2016, all incorporated herein by reference.

STATEMENTS AS TO THE RIGHTS TO THE INVENTION MADE UNDER FEDERALLYSPONSORED RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT

None

BACKGROUND OF THE PRESENT INVENTION Field of the Invention

The present invention pertains to a valve assembly that can be used inwellbore operations (such as, for example, in oil, gas, water ordisposal wells). More particularly, the present invention pertains to adownhole valve assembly that can be used in wellbore operations, such aswell intervention and/or hydraulic fracturing operations. Moreparticularly still, the present invention pertains to a downhole flappervalve assembly having a dissolvable or frangible flapper.

Brief Description of the Prior Art

Frequently, it is desirable to install at least one bridge plug, orother anchoring and sealing device, within a wellbore. Such assembliescan be installed for various reasons: to isolate one portion of awellbore from another, to prevent fluid flow from one portion of awellbore to another, and/or provide a fluid pressure sealing barrier ata desired location within said wellbore. Such downhole bridge plugs orother anchoring/sealing devices are frequently installed within thecentral bore of a casing or tubing string, and both grip/anchor andprovide a fluid pressure seal against the inner wall of such pipe. Incertain applications, such plugs can also be installed within a sectionof drilled “open hole” (that is, a section of a wellbore that is notcased with pipe).

Conventional bridge plugs typically comprise an anchoring systemdesigned to grip the inner surface of a surrounding wellbore, as well asa sealing system or packing element to form a fluid pressure sealagainst said inner surface. Some predetermined amount of force isgenerally required to energize/expand said packing element and actuatesaid anchoring system. In certain plug assemblies, such force or loadcan be supplied by pipe weight situated above the bridge plug, or bytensile loading applied from a wellbore surface; such plugs generallymust be continually attached to a pipe string during the setting processin order to receive the force required to actuate said anchor system andenergize/expand said sealing mechanism. In other cases, such plugassemblies can be conveyed into a wellbore on spooled wireline to adesired location, and actuated using a specially designed plug settingtool.

Conventional bridge plugs are frequently used in connection withhydraulic fracturing (commonly referred to as “fracking”) operations,which generally entails pumping fluid into a wellbore at elevatedpressures in order to fracture subterranean rock formations surroundingsaid wellbore. In many well fracturing operations, a bridge plug or“frac plug” is conveyed to a desired location within a wellbore. Oncepositioned at a desired location within a wellbore, the frac plug isactuated to secure or anchor said plug in position and prevent axialmovement within said wellbore. Thereafter, a setting tool or otherdevice used to set said plug in place can then be removed, leaving theplug securely anchored within the well bore.

Although designs can vary, many frac plugs have a central axial throughbore as well as sealing seat on one end. A ball, dart or other object istypically launched or released into the wellbore from the surface orother point above said plug; eventually, said ball/dart/object willreach the plug and land on said seat. Once said ball/dart/object issecurely received on said seat, said central through bore is blocked andfluid is prevented from flowing around said ball through said centralthrough bore. With the central through bore of said plug blocked,hydraulic fracturing can be undertaken in up-hole section(s) of the wellbore—that is, the portion of the well between the surface and said plug.Additionally, during downhole well intervention operations (that is,operations other than hydraulic fracturing), plugs and valves areperiodically used inside a well bore to control, stop or regulatecertain well performance variables such as flowrate and pressure.

Conventional bridge plugs typically suffer from a number of significantlimitations. Many conventional mechanical bridge plugs are “permanent”,in the sense that they generally cannot be opened or removed from awellbore after being set without performing complicated and/or expensivedownhole milling operations. Although not as “permanent” in design, balland seat valves can nonetheless be problematic, particularly duringcementing and stimulation operations. Cement and stimulation proppantmaterial (such as, for example, “frac sand” used in hydraulic fracturingoperations) can negatively affect the sealing function and operation ofsaid valves.

Thus, there is a need for an effective and versatile down-hole bridgeplug that can be set at a desired location within a wellbore. The bridgeplug should permit isolation of desired portion(s) of a wellbore, whilepermitting removal and/or opening of said plug when desired.

SUMMARY OF THE PRESENT INVENTION

In a preferred embodiment, present invention comprises a valve assembly.Uses for said valve assembly can include, but are not limited to, a fracplug, fluid flow valve, check valve or well intervention device. Theplug of the present invention can be used in bored holes, flow lines,sewer lines, open or closed well bores, agricultural applications, andmedical procedures.

In a preferred embodiment, the present invention comprises a selectivelyclosable flapper and a seat against which said flapper, when in a closedconfiguration, can form a fluid pressure seal. In addition, the presentinvention further comprises means (such as gripping slip members) tosecurely grip against a surrounding surface, and create a fluid pressureseal between said valve assembly and said inner surface of a surroundingwellbore or other structure. The sealing member(s) may be elastomeric orany other material that can create a seal between the invention and theinner walls of a surrounding wellbore or hole.

Actuation of said slip member(s) and seal(s) is typically accomplishedusing a conventional setting tool employing hydraulics, explosives,electronics, fluid pressure and/or the application of mechanical force.In a preferred embodiment, the present invention can also comprise atleast one friction reducing element disposed on its outer surface toassist in running in a wellbore (including, without limitation,restrictions therein). Such friction reducing elements can be rollingdevices such as ball transfer units or stationary sliding padsbeneficially disposed on the exterior of the device.

The present invention can also be used as a check valve by setting aflapper to spring closed if fluid flow is in the opposite direction thandesired. When acting as a check valve, the springs or other actuationmethods on the present invention will make the device return to original(typically open) state once fluid pressure or flow has dissipatedsufficiently to meet a predetermined level. The present invention can beused inside a well bore as a fluid flow control valve by controlling theflapper motion with a spring or other actuator. Depending on systemneeds, an actuator on the flapper can be sized to open and close inresponse to particular predetermined flow rates.

The present process that is used in the oilfield when setting a fracplug downhole is to deliver the plug to the desired position in thewell, set the plug's slip and seals and then pull the setting tool andentire tool string out of the hole. The well head is opened and a ballis inserted into the well. The well head is closed again and the ball ispumped down into the well until it arrives at the seat. This processrequires a large amount of fluid to pump the ball down but also a largeamount of rig time which is extremely costly. The present invention doesnot require any additional pumping of fluid to seat a ball, therebyreducing the expense of fluid and this also reduces expensive rig timecompared to such conventional methods.

Another benefit of the present invention is to reduce the amount ofwater pumped into downhole formations, which can adversely affectproductivity of certain reservoirs. The present invention also allows auser, if desired, to perform other operations such as perforating aninterval without the need to fully retrieve a toolstring or pipecompletely out the well. The present invention facilitates increasedefficiency of time, resources and money spent to perform current taskscommon to industries such as the oilfield in particular in wellhydraulic fracturing operations.

The present invention can also be used as a check valve by setting aflapper to spring closed if fluid flow is in an opposite direction thandesired. When acting as a check valve, springs or other actuationmethods on the present invention will make the device return to original(typically open) state once fluid pressure or flow has dissipatedsufficiently to meet a predetermined level. The present invention can beused inside a well bore as a fluid flow control valve by controlling theflapper motion with a spring or other actuator. Depending on systemneeds, an actuator on the flapper can be sized to open and close inresponse to particular predetermined flow rates.

After a fracturing procedure is completed, the valve assembly becomes anobstruction that does not allow a well to flow past said valve assembly.However, fluid or pressure differential from below the invention canopen the flapper, therefore allowing fluid or pressure movement. In oneembodiment, the flapper of the current invention includes a spring thatbiases said flapper after pumping from the surface stops to allow forthe well to begin flowing. With this embodiment, a standard oilfieldfishing tool can be used to stab back into the body opening to retrievethe device from the well without milling or drilling. In anotherembodiment, the flapper of the said invention can be in a normallyopened or closed position. Applied or natural fluid pressure, orpressure differential, can open the flapper from the normally closedposition or close the flapper from a normally opened position.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS/FIGURES

The foregoing summary, as well as any detailed description of thepreferred embodiments, is better understood when read in conjunctionwith the drawings and figures contained herein. For the purpose ofillustrating the invention, the drawings and figures show certainpreferred embodiments. It is understood, however, that the invention isnot limited to the specific methods and devices disclosed in suchdrawings or figures.

FIG. 1 depicts an overhead perspective view of the downhole valveassembly of the present invention operationally attached to aconventional setting tool and disposed within a wellbore.

FIG. 2 depicts a side view of a downhole valve assembly of the presentinvention operationally attached to a conventional setting tool.

FIG. 3 depicts a side sectional view of a downhole valve assembly of thepresent invention operationally attached to a conventional setting tool.

FIG. 4 depicts a side view of a downhole valve assembly of the presentinvention with a flapper valve in a closed position.

FIG. 5 depicts an overhead perspective view of a downhole valve assemblyof the present invention with a flapper valve in an open position.

FIG. 6 depicts an overhead perspective view of the downhole valveassembly of the present invention disposed within a wellbore with aflapper valve in a closed position.

FIG. 7 depicts a bottom perspective view of the downhole valve assemblyof the present invention disposed within a wellbore with a flapper valvein a closed position.

FIG. 8 depicts an overhead perspective view of the downhole valveassembly of the present invention disposed within a wellbore with aflapper valve in an open position.

FIG. 9 depicts side view of the downhole valve assembly of the presentinvention disposed within a wellbore with a flapper valve in a closedposition.

FIG. 10 depicts a perspective view of a flapper of the presentinvention.

FIG. 11 depicts a perspective view of a first alternative embodiment ofa flapper assembly of the present invention.

FIG. 12 depicts an overhead perspective view of a second alternativeembodiment of a flapper assembly of the present invention.

FIG. 13 depicts an overhead perspective view of a third alternativeembodiment of a flapper assembly of the present invention.

FIG. 14 depicts a lower perspective view of a fourth alternativeembodiment of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF A PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

Referring to the drawings, FIG. 1 depicts an overhead perspective viewof a downhole valve assembly 100 of the present invention operationallyattached to a conventional setting tool 20 and disposed within casingstring 10. As depicted in FIG. 1, casing string 10 has outer surface 12and inner surface 11; said casing 10 can be installed and secured withina drilled bore hole in a manner well understood by those having skill inthe art.

Downhole valve assembly 100 of the present invention can be installed toselectively isolate one portion of a wellbore from another, to preventfluid flow from one portion of a wellbore to another and/or to provide afluid pressure sealing barrier at a desired location within a wellbore.Valve assembly 100 of the present invention can be beneficially setwithin the internal bore of a string of casing (such as casing string 10depicted in FIG. 1), production tubing or other tubular member. Incertain applications or downhole environments, valve assembly 100 of thepresent invention can also be installed within an “open hole” or uncasedsection of a wellbore.

Valve assembly 100 of the present invention generally comprises a fluidpressure sealing flapper assembly having flapper 110, a mating flapperseat 111, upper gripping slip members 120, lower gripping slip members130, sealing member 140 and body section 150. Although other relativepositioning of said components can be used without departing from thescope of the present invention, said upper gripping slip members 120 andlower gripping slip members 130 are typically disposed on either side ofsaid seal member 140.

In operation, valve assembly 100 of the present invention can beattached to a setting tool (such as setting tool 20) and conveyed into awell to a desired depth via continuous wire (such as, for example,electric line, slick line or braided line), continuous or coiled tubing,or jointed pipe. Once said valve assembly 100 is positioned at a desiredlocation within a wellbore—that is, at the depth at which setting ofvalve assembly 100 is desired—said setting tool 20 can be actuated. Suchactuation of setting tool 20 causes said upper gripping slip members 120and lower gripping slip members 130 to expand radially outward to engageagainst a surrounding surface (such as inner surface 11 of casing string10), and anchor said valve assembly 100 in place against axial movementwithin casing string 10. Such actuation of setting tool 20 also causesseal member 140 of said valve assembly 10 to expand radially outwarduntil it contacts and forms a fluid pressure seal against a surroundingsurface (such as inner surface 11 of casing string 10).

In a preferred embodiment, setting tool 20 can comprise a conventionalwireline packer setting tool such as, for example, a Baker E4 Model 10Setting Tool, which is well known to those having skill in the art.Notwithstanding the foregoing, it is to be observed that any number ofother conventional setting tools can be used without departing from thescope of the present invention. As depicted in FIG. 1, a central mandrel21 of setting 20 is visible through the open lower bore 151 of bodysection 150 of valve assembly 100.

FIG. 2 depicts a side view of a downhole valve assembly 100 of thepresent invention operationally attached to a conventional setting tool20. Valve assembly 100 of the present invention generally comprises afluid pressure sealing flapper assembly having flapper 110 and flapperseat 111, upper gripping slip members 120, lower gripping slip members130, seal member 140 and body section 150. In the embodiment of valveassembly 100 depicted in FIG. 2, said seal member 140 is disposedbetween upper gripping slip members 120 and lower gripping slip members130.

FIG. 3 depicts a side sectional view of a downhole valve assembly 100 ofthe present invention operationally attached to a conventional settingtool 20. Valve assembly 100 of the present invention generally comprisesa fluid pressure sealing flapper assembly having flapper 110 and flapperseat 111. Flapper 110 is hingedly attached to flapper seat body 112 withhinge pin 113 extending through hinge posts 118. Flapper seat bodymember 112 has outer surface 114 defining outer shoulder member 115 thatextends radially outward therefrom, as well as a central through boredefining an inner surface 116.

Still referring to FIG. 3, upper gripping slip members 120, lowergripping slip members 130 and seal member 140 are disposed on outersurface 114 of flapper seat body member 112. Body section 150, having acentral through bore 151 defining inner surface 154, is attached toflapper seat body member 112. In the configuration shown in FIG. 3,central mandrel 21 of setting tool 20 extends through aligned centralbores of flapper seat body member 112 and body section 150. Said centralmandrel 21 further holds flapper 110 in an open position; in otherwords, said central mandrel 21 prevents flapper 110 from hingedlyclosing and being received on flapper seat 111.

In operation, setting tool 20 can be actuated, causing upper grippingslip members 120 and lower gripping slip members 130 to expand radiallyoutward to engage against a surrounding surface (such as inner surface11 of casing string 10 depicted in FIG. 1). Such actuation of settingtool 20 also causes seal member 140 of said valve assembly 100 to expandradially outward until it contacts and forms a fluid pressure sealagainst a surrounding surface (such as inner surface 11 of casing string10 depicted in FIG. 1).

Following such actuation and setting of valve assembly 100, setting tool20 can be released from valve assembly 100 (such as by shearing of pins,for example) and pulled away from said valve assembly 100. As centralmandrel 21 of setting tool 20 is extracted from the central bore offlapper seat body member 112, flapper 110 is no longer blocked and isallowed to pivot about hinge pin 113. Said flapper 110 can close untilit contacts in mating relationship with flapper seat 111.

FIG. 4 depicts a side view of a downhole valve assembly 100 of thepresent invention with flapper valve 110 in a closed position, whileFIG. 5 depicts an overhead perspective view of a downhole valve assembly100 of the present invention with a flapper valve 110 in an openposition. As depicted in both FIGS. 4 and 5, a setting tool (such assetting tool 20 depicted in FIGS. 1 through 3) is not present, as it haspreviously been actuated and retrieved from a well bore, or at leastmoved away from said valve assembly 100. Valve assembly 100 of thepresent invention generally comprises a fluid pressure sealing flapperassembly having flapper 110 and flapper seat 111, upper gripping slipmembers 120, lower gripping slip members 130, seal member 140 and bodysection 150. Flapper 110 is hingedly attached to flapper seat body 112with hinge pin 113 extending through parallel hinge posts 118. Sealmember 140 is disposed between upper gripping slip members 120 and lowergripping slip members 130.

As depicted in FIG. 4, flapper 110 is closed in mating relationshipagainst flapper seat 111. In this configuration, flapper 110 essentiallyobstructs the central flow bore of seat body member 112, thereby forminga fluid pressure seal preventing fluid from flowing past said flapperand into said central flow bore of seat body member 112. Conversely, asdepicted in FIG. 5, flapper 110 is open and is not in matingrelationship against flapper seat 111. In this configuration, flapper110 does not obstruct the central flow bore 117 of seat body member 112,thereby permitting fluid to flow past said flapper 110 and into saidcentral flow bore 117 of seat body member 112.

Referring to FIG. 5, in a preferred embodiment, the present inventioncan also comprise at least one friction reducing element 155 disposed onor along the outer surface of body member 150 to assist in reducingfrictional forces when conveying said valve assembly 100 within awellbore (including, without limitation, any restrictions or “tightspots” therein). Such friction reducing elements 155 can be rollingdevices such as ball transfer units or stationary sliding padsbeneficially disposed on the exterior of the device.

Still referring to FIG. 5, at least one transverse shear pin 152 canextend through body member 150; said shear pin 152 can be used totemporarily operationally attach valve assembly 100 to a setting tool(such as, for example, setting tool 20 depicted in FIG. 1).Additionally, notch 153 can be cut or otherwise formed in the lowersurface 154 of said body member 150. In the event that valve assembly100 would ever need to be drilled or milled, said valve assembly 100 maybe pushed downhole within a wellbore until it is received on anothervalve assembly or other support surface. In such cases, notch 153 canact as an anti-rotation device by receiving and engaging with upwardlyfacing parallel hinge posts (such as hinge posts 118 depicted in FIG. 4)of an adjacent (lower) valve assembly to prevent spinning or rotation ofsaid upper valve assembly when torque forces are applied to said uppervalve assembly (such as, for example, when said valve assembly is beingdrilled or milled).

FIG. 6 depicts an overhead perspective view of downhole valve assembly100 of the present invention disposed within the inner bore of casingstring 10 with flapper 110 in a closed position. Similarly, FIG. 7depicts a bottom perspective view of said downhole valve assembly 100 ofthe present invention disposed within an inner bore of casing string 10with flapper 110 in a closed position. As depicted in FIGS. 6 and 7,flapper 110 is closed in mating relationship against flapper seat 111.In this configuration, flapper 110 obstructs or blocks the central flowbore of seat body member 112, thereby forming a fluid pressure sealpreventing fluid from flowing past said flapper and into said centralflow bore of seat body member 112.

FIG. 8 depicts an overhead perspective view of downhole valve assembly100 of the present invention disposed within an inner through bore ofcasing string 10 with flapper 110 in an open position, while FIG. 9depicts side view of downhole valve assembly 100 of the presentinvention disposed within an inner through bore of casing 10 withflapper 110 in a closed position. As depicted in FIG. 8, flapper 110 isopen and is not in mating relationship against flapper seat 111. In thisconfiguration, flapper 110 does not obstruct the central flow bore 117of seat body member 112, thereby permitting fluid to flow past saidflapper 110 and into said central flow bore 117 of seat body member 112.

As depicted in FIG. 8, flapper 110 can embody a scalloped shaped designto allow for increased flow capacity when flapper 110 of valve assembly100 is in a full open position, while also increasing strength againstfluid pressure acting on said flapper 110 due to the curvature of saidflapper 110. Still referring to FIG. 8, mating flapper seat 111 can alsobe scalloped to match the contours and surfaces of flapper 110 to ensurethat a tight fluid pressure seal is formed when said flapper 110 isclosed in mating relationship against a flapper seat 111. To furtherfacilitate sealing between flapper 110 and a mating flapper seat 111, asealing material such as an elastomeric or gasket material can beapplied to, attached on and/or embedded in said flapper and/or saidseat.

Flapper 110 can be constructed of a dissolvable material. If suchdissolvable material is used, after a predetermined or preselectedlength of time, the flapper will dissolve, thereby substantiallyeliminating any flow obstruction blocking central flow bore 117 offlapper seat body member 112. Although other dissolvable materialshaving desired characteristics can be used without departing from thescope of the present invention, said flapper 110 can be constructed ofmagnesium alloy (such as, for example, the compound marketed under themark “SoluMag”™) having a high but well-controlled corrosion rate,thereby effectively causing flapper 110 to dissolve in a known time.

Alternatively, said flapper 110 may also be constructed of a frangiblematerial that can easily be broken into smaller pieces using aconventional device (such as, for example, an oilfield jar tool) toapply a predetermined contact force to said flapper. After contact withsaid breaking device, the pieces of flapper 110 are sufficiently smallthat they can fall to the bottom of the well, or can be circulated backto the surface for removal from a well. Flapper 110 can also beconstructed of an easily drillable or millable material; forapplications that do not require such removal of said flapper, astronger, more durable material may be used.

FIG. 10 depicts a perspective view of an alternative embodiment of aflapper 110 of the present invention. Flapper 110 can include hinge bodyprotrusion 170 having transverse aperture 171. Hinge body protrusion 170can be received between hinge posts 118, while transverse aperture 171can receive a hinge pin (such as hinge pin 113 depicted in FIG. 3) topermit said flapper 110 to pivotally alternate between an open andclosed position as disclosed herein.

In order to withstand greater loading and/or differential pressureacross flapper 110, said flapper 110 can optionally include an increasedor thicker body section 172 as depicted in FIG. 10. Such body section172 depicted in FIG. 10 is thicker (i.e., has a greater mass) comparedto alternative flappers 110 depicted in FIGS. 11 and 12, for example.When greater volume of dissolvable material is used to construct flapper110, more time can generally be taken to set valve assembly 100 beforesaid flapper 110 has dissolved to a point that it no longer forms afluid pressure seal against an opposing seat.

Further, in order to withstand greater loading and/or differentialpressure across flapper 110, seat 111 and tool body 112 can be modifiedto add support as depicted in FIGS. 12 and 13. As depicted in FIG. 12,seat 111 includes a section 111 a of increased material around thecircumference of bore 117 for receiving flapper 110. As depicted in FIG.13, seat 111 includes a transverse support 111 b extending substantiallyacross bore 117 for receiving flapper 110.

The embodiments depicted in FIGS. 12 and 13 reduce unsupported areaunder flapper 110 by adding a ring of support material around theopening of seat 111 (FIG. 12) or across seat 111 (FIG. 13) therebyallowing the valve assembly to withstand greater fluid pressure appliedto the flapper 110. If full bore flow is required, support can be madeof dissolvable or frangible material and the aforementioned processeswill be employed to remove them after pressure is relieved.

FIG. 11 depicts a perspective view of an alternate embodiment of aflapper seat body member 212, shown removed from valve assembly 100 ofthe present invention. As depicted in FIG. 11, flapper seat body member212 can comprise a central through bore 217. A flapper 210 is hingedlyattached to said flapper seat body 212, and a guide pin or protrusion260 disposed on flapper seat 211. Said guide pin 260 is used to alignflapper 210 during actuation and to align the lower sleeve on a settingtool. Guide 260 can be formed as an integral part of flapper seat 211 orcan be attached as an additional component.

FIG. 14 depicts a perspective view of an alternative embodiment of theflapper mounting assembly present invention. As depicted in FIG. 14, ahinge post assembly 300 having parallel hinge posts 318 can be attachedto body member 112. Compression springs 301 can bias said hinge postassembly 300 away from said body member 112. In the embodiment depictedin FIG. 14, said compression springs 301 hold flapper 110 off of seat111, thereby allowing fluid to flow between the gap formed between saidflapper 110 and seat 111, until such time as fluid pressure overcomesthe force of compression springs 301, causing said gap to close andcreate a fluid pressure seal.

During operation, valve assembly 100 of the present invention can beconveyed into a wellbore (via wireline or pipe) to a desired depth. Onceat said depth, said valve assembly can be set to grip or anchor to, andform a fluid pressure seal against, the internal surface of asurrounding wellbore. When conveyed on wireline, said valve assembly canbe set using a conventional wireline setting tool; when conveyed onpipe, said valve assembly can be set with a conventional hydraulicsetting tool. The setting tool can then be at least partially removedfrom said valve assembly, permitting a flapper (such as flapper 110) toalternate from an open position to a closed position, and contact/closeagainst a seat to form a fluid pressure seal preventing fluid fromflowing around said flapper and through a central flow bore of saidvalve assembly.

Hydraulic fracturing or other operations can be performed within saidwellbore. When desired, a frangible flapper can be selectively shatteredinto many small pieces by the application of contact force, such as viaa conventional oilfield jar device. Such smaller shattered pieces canfall to the bottom of the wellbore, or can be circulated out of thewellbore. Alternatively, a dissolvable flapper can be permitted todissolve within fluid(s) contained in said wellbore, thereby eliminatingsaid fluid pressure seal between said flapper and seat.

What is claimed:
 1. A valve assembly comprising: a) a body sectionhaving an upper surface, outer surface, and a central flow bore defininga first diameter, and having an upper opening defining a seat at saidupper surface; b) at least one slip member disposed on said outersurface adapted to selectively grip against an inner surface of awellbore; c) at least one elastomeric sealing member disposed on saidouter surface adapted to selectively form a fluid pressure seal againstsaid inner surface of said wellbore; d) a flapper hingedly attached tosaid body section, wherein said flapper can move between a substantiallyopen configuration, and a substantially closed configuration whereinsaid flapper contacts said seat and said transverse support member; ande) a spring configured to bias said flapper off of said seat until fluidpressure acting on said flapper overcomes force exerted by said spring.2. The valve assembly of claim 1, wherein said valve assembly can beconveyed into said wellbore on wireline and set using a wireline settingtool.
 3. The valve assembly of claim 1, wherein said valve assembly canbe conveyed into said wellbore on pipe and set using a hydraulic settingtool.
 4. The valve assembly of claim 1, wherein said flapper isconstructed of frangible material adapted to selectively break intosmaller pieces in response to application of a predetermined force tosaid flapper.
 5. The valve assembly of claim 4, wherein said smallerpieces can be circulated out of said wellbore when broken.
 6. The valveassembly of claim 1, wherein said flapper is constructed of dissolvablematerial.
 7. The valve assembly of claim 6, wherein said dissolvableflapper is adapted to substantially uncover said central flow bore afterdissolving.
 8. A method of performing hydraulic fracturing operations ina wellbore comprising: a) conveying a valve assembly into a wellbore,wherein said valve assembly comprises: i) a body section having an uppersurface, an outer surface and a central flow bore defining a firstdiameter, and having an upper opening defining a seat at said uppersurface; ii) at least one slip member disposed on said outer surfaceadapted to selectively grip against an inner surface of said wellbore;iii) at least one elastomeric sealing member disposed on said outersurface adapted to selectively form a fluid pressure seal against theinner surface of said wellbore; iv) a flapper hingedly attached to saidbody section, wherein said flapper can move between a substantially openconfiguration, and a substantially closed configuration wherein saidflapper contacts said seat and said transverse support member; v) aspring configured to bias said flapper off of said seat; b) setting saidvalve assembly at a desired position in said wellbore; c) applying fluidpressure to said flapper; d) closing said flapper when fluid pressureapplied to said flapper overcomes force exerted by said spring; and e)conducting hydraulic fracturing operations in said wellbore.
 9. Themethod of claim 8, wherein said valve assembly is conveyed into saidwellbore on wireline and set using a wireline setting tool.
 10. Themethod of claim 8, wherein said valve assembly is conveyed into saidwellbore on pipe and set using a hydraulic setting tool.
 11. The methodof claim 8, wherein said flapper is constructed of frangible materialadapted to selectively break into smaller pieces in response toapplication of a predetermined force to said flapper.
 12. The method ofclaim 11, wherein said smaller pieces can be circulated out of saidwellbore when broken.
 13. The method of claim 8, wherein said flapper isconstructed of dissolvable material.
 14. The method of claim 13, whereinsaid dissolvable flapper is dissolved to substantially uncover saidcentral flow bore following completion of said hydraulic fracturingoperations.
 15. A valve assembly comprising: a) a body section having anupper surface, a lower surface, an outer surface, a central flow boredefining a first diameter, and having an upper opening defining a seatat said upper surface, a hinge post disposed at said upper surface, andnotch disposed at said lower surface; b) a support ring disposed at saidseat and defining a second diameter; c) at least one ball transfer unitdisposed on said outer surface configured to contact an inner surface ofa wellbore; d) at least one slip member disposed on said outer surfaceconfigured to selectively grip against said inner surface of saidwellbore; e) at least one elastomeric sealing member disposed on saidouter surface adapted to selectively form a fluid pressure seal againstsaid inner surface of said wellbore; and f) a flapper hingedly attachedto said hinge post of said body section, wherein said flapper can movebetween a substantially open configuration, and a substantially closedconfiguration wherein said flapper contacts said seat and saidtransverse support member.
 16. The valve assembly of claim 15, whereinsaid flapper and said support ring are constructed of frangible materialadapted to selectively break into smaller pieces in response toapplication of a predetermined force to said flapper and said supportring.
 17. The valve assembly of claim 16, wherein said smaller piecescan be circulated out of said wellbore when broken.
 18. The valveassembly of claim 15, wherein said flapper and said support ring areconstructed of dissolvable material.
 19. The valve assembly of claim 18,wherein said dissolvable flapper and said dissolvable support ring areadapted to substantially uncover said central flow bore afterdissolving.
 20. The valve assembly of claim 15, wherein said hinge postis configured to be selectively received within a notch of an adjacentvalve assembly disposed in said wellbore.